Russian Federation knock Spain out of World Cup

Captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties as Russian Federation triumphed 4-3 in a dramatic shootout in Moscow to reach a first quarter-final since the Soviet era, in 1970.

As the Iberians grew desperate, trying a more direct approach to goal, Iniesta came close - collecting a chested pass from the fellow second-half substitute Iago Aspas - but a diving Akinfeev brilliantly turned away his snapshot from outside the box.

Earlier, a Sergei Ignashevich own goal had put Spain ahead only for Gerard Pique to handball needlessly in his own area and Artem Dzyuba made no mistake from the spot.

Spain dominated possession but rarely found a way through the home side's rugged rearguard and when they did they ran into an inspired Igor Akinfeev.

It is unclear if interim coach Fernando Hierro will continue in the post he did not seek before Julen Lopetegui was sent home.

Russian Federation hit back just before the interval as Artem Dzyuba nervelessly converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Gerard Pique.

In fact, Spain needed a weird own goal by the otherwise excellent Sergei Ignashevich to open the scoring, while Russia's equaliser was another penalty, this time a 41st-minute effort by Artem Dzyuba.

Spain couldn't carve out any more openings and the match became the first of the World Cup to go to extra time.

But for all the talk of tactics and generational change, Spain's2018 World Cup will be remembered for a simple act of self-sabotage.

Spain captain Iniesta saw his final World Cup outing end in defeat as Russian Federation stunned them to make the quarter-finals of the competition.

Hosts must rebound quickly for last 16 clash, the 2010 champions who have slipped under the radar after a tumultuous start to the tournament.

Despite being heavy favourites to beat Russia, Spain lined-up with two holding midfielders in Koke and Sergio Busquests, while Andres Iniesta was left on the bench. We don't like this type of structure with three central defenders but they trusted me and I spoke with every player individually.

"I had to persuade them this was the only way as they don't like this system", said Cherchesov, whose side had one shot on target in two hours of football.

It was the classic "tiki-taka" style that led to a World Cup title in 2010, bookended by a pair of European Championships.

The CSKA Moscow goalkeeper has been a regular for his national team since making his worldwide debut fourteen years ago and while the 32-year old has more clean sheets than any other Russian goalkeeper in history, his club record in European tournaments has been not quite up to the mark. "I think we should have countered faster".

First Germany, then Lionel Messi's Argentina, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

Akinfeev denied two Spanish shots in the shootout, but the last one was his best. Pique, Ramos, David Silva, Costa and Sergio Busquets will be 33 or older.

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Koke and Iago Aspas then both failed in the shoot-out, marking a disappointing end to the midfielder's glorious Spain career. Sergio Ramos was the first Spanish player to talk to the media following Spain's elimination from the World Cup .

It is the fourth time in the last five World Cups that the defending champions have been eliminated in the group stage. They have far more quality than South Korea in their squad and should secure a comfortable victory in this one.

Argentina has only one point from two matches after drawing 1-1 with Iceland and recording an embarrassing 0-3 loss to Croatia. Argentina . "There is nothing I can pay them for the past seasons I've been with them other than to say "thank you very much".

Senegal finished level with Japan on points in their group, missing out on the knockout stages due to having more bookings. His exit did little, however, to revive the sluggish South Americans, who had been second best in nearly every department.

Pablo Zabaleta has made shocking revelations about the emotional state of Argentina star player Lionel Messi's emotional state. The five-time Ballon d'Or award winners have not won the FIFA World Cup and continues to be a dream for them.

Last month, the White House said that by the end of this week, it would announce tight new curbs on Chinese investment. President Donald Trump has announced the results of a review into Chinese investment in U.S. tech companies.

England's impressive start in Russian Federation means they are already within sight of their record for goals at a World Cup . Senegal and Japan are now best placed to escape the group after Poland and Colombia suffered defeats in their opening games.

If they can come through Saturday's tie, they may even start to believe that they can go all the way and win a third World Cup, a first since 1950. "Nine of the players on the pitch for Portugal are European champions, so that speaks of the quality, and we have been preparing for quite a while".

I think everyone has a soft spot for their last 16 opponents Mexico and not just because their fans have brightened up the event. He said: "At that time, Spanish teams were favourites but, to use a Russian expression, "anyone can be God if he tries to".

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